Don't Bug Me II

NM Bill stopped to pose for a "photo op" in the Texas Panhandle

when this UFO joined in the photo!

Click the photo for detail.

Don't Bug Me!

This little "monster" was hanging on the wall next to my back door!

The last time I saw one of these, I was a teen. My Pop found one in the garden.

We put it in a jar and I poked it with a piece of a carrot.

Those pinchers went right through the carrot!

This is a Stag Beetle. Approximately 1.75 inches in length. 

Click the link for more information.

Dead Bug

I have no words.

Thanks, Bill.

But, now that I think about it, it looks like he saw one of his relatives

 in the dictionary and passed out. 

Misery Loves Company

If you don't believe it, check out a fly strip or the ants in this hummingbird feeder!

Honeybees Festooning

This photo is from the Facebook page of the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

When bees build their comb, they work in teams.

The bees have hooks on the end of their legs and they link them together 

to form what's considered to be a "natural" scaffolding to work around the nest.

This additional photo by Brandon Dill shows another unique view of bees linking or "festooning".

More information is available here at The Peace Bee Farmer.

Blood Suckers

MOSQUITOS

The nasty buggers are back. This one was huge!

When I tried to smack it, it grabbed the towel and slapped me in the face with it!

I eventually crippled it, though.

Looks like he could drink about a quart!

Biofluorescent Scorpions

This in from Anonymous, NM Bill.

Scorpions fluoresce under black light:

BEFORE

SEEN THROUGH BLACK LIGHT

Bill also notes that the same effect occures with cat pee.

Who knew?

Butterflies III

WOODLAND SKIPPER

Click to enlarge

Butterflies II

MONARCH

Click to enlarge

Butterflies I

CLOUDED SULPHUR

Click to enlarge

Nature Walk IV

Dragonfly, Common Whitetail

Photographed from the same spot as the Frog In The Bog these insects are considered beneficial because they eat 

pest insects like mosquitos and their larvae.

They are abundant throughout North America.

Click the images to enlarge, (There's great detail in these photos)